Dry Storage

Hey guys,
So we took a trip last week to chase kings on the Pere Marquette here in NW MI.
Well long story short... after getting rained on relentlessly and ending up with some wet gear that wasn't supposed to be wet, I have began kicking around the idea of true watertight compartments in the boat, especially as we move into the fall and winter season.

The main place I would love to have a watertight hatch would be up front under the casting deck, with a sealed door and everything to be 100% dry under there. My boat interior is oiled, and I am trying to brainstorm the best way of tackling such a project... possible framing in that area and building a box within the confines of the bow. If I needed to epoxy/fillet anything would I just need to sand through the surface to get to "non oiled wood" to get good adhesion?

I like the idea of having a flat face set behind the ribs under the casting deck, then a door can be placed into that surface, and it would keep things from falling out onto the casters feet all the time too. Match the wood from the casting deck and I think it would be pretty nice looking as well.

This is the very early stages of planning and any info/suggestions welcome.
And yes I do have dry bags... I just like the idea of a fully sealed dry compartment.

Thanks!
Jason K.

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Permalink Reply by Eric Loudenslager on September 16, 2010 at 7:54am
Many of the stitch-and-glue dories have dry (in reality damp) storage, and then there are the decked whitewater boats. I have a bow-seat pedestal w/ storage, and do not like the confinement it creates when working on the boat interior. I also have a rowers seat with storage, that can be removed. A second rowers seat has a rope seat in the standard variety. The storage seat sits in my garage with all my dory accessories when not in use. I use rubbermaid action packers in the boat. They are pretty dry. You can also use dry bags. If you go that route pay the extra cost of the bags that open like a zipped duffle. If you choose the top opening variety you wind up digging through gear to find what you want at the very bottom.

If I ever build another dory I will keep the interior open and use boxes and bags that can be removed from the boat.

This of course is a personal choice. Others may love having the storage fixed in the boat.
Permalink Reply by Dave Z on September 16, 2010 at 1:20pm
Build either S&G or forget it.

Buy a good dry bag, patagonia bag or Pelican cases for your camera gear and good stuff.
Permalink Reply by Herb Jacobsen on September 16, 2010 at 1:44pm
I agree with the dry bags and water tight containers. I used the rubbermaid type for years. The thing I found with water tight storage is that when it gets wet you don't find out until you need something out of it and it is already soaked. I used the water tight containers in the storage seats that I had in some of my boats.

Good luck....
Herb
Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on September 16, 2010 at 5:06pm
I am liking these responses as it means way less work for me... Maybe I need to reorganize and invest a couple nicer/larger dry bags...
Permalink Reply by lhedrick on September 16, 2010 at 6:56pm
If you don't need a decked boat then dry bags solve the problem. Even with decked over boats the important stuff always goes in dry bags. I like watershed products.

I also like your idea of dry boxes which can be removed from the boat.
Permalink Reply by Roger Fletcher on September 16, 2010 at 8:27pm
One of the smartest things I did umpteen years ago was redo my guest and rowing seats to accomodate hanging dry boxes. I hinged both seats. The boxes dropped between the floor frames and hung just high enough off the bottom to keep errant water from the underside. The boxes had hinged lids too. Seat compression kept them water tight. The boxes provided adequate storage for sleeping bags, and all items I wanted to keep dry. When reaching a camp spot the boxes lifted out of the fame and served dual purposes -- as storage and as camp benches or cooking tables. If you design them right, you'll be surprised at how much stuff they'll hold, and how easily they can be accessed when on the river. Flip your lid takes on a whole new meaning....
Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on September 17, 2010 at 4:40am
Thanks for the input guys, and Roger thank you for the description - I will look at what I have and sketch out some ideas for these dry boxes. This might be the solution I am looking for.
I will keep you posted on what I come up with.

Jason
Permalink Reply by Greg Max on September 17, 2010 at 9:12am
I just got a HUGE 108 liter dry bag from NRS. The Outfitter bag, I think it's called. It was a GREAT purchase. It swallows the massive tent we bring and three sleeping bags without trouble. It was also the cheapest dry bag I have ever bought at roughly $60 for the big boy. Check it out, durable, well made, cheap. http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2915&pdeptid=1630
Permalink Reply by Mike Dearing on September 17, 2010 at 10:10pm
Jason, buy the bags here. http://www.sotar.com/ Been using the their bags and boats for years, good stuff. In a raft nothing stays dry on rivers like the Upper Klamath or Illinois unless its in a true fully sealed aluminum dry box or dry bag. If you order from them tell Cheryl you know me she might even give you a discount, or charge you double ;)

Mike
Permalink Reply by Terry E Walsh on September 24, 2010 at 5:18pm
There is a company in Fort Collins Colorado called Otterbox,....... They make water tight storage for just about everything from a cell phone to a laptop and anything u can think of. Look them up on the web, I bet they have something that would work for u well.

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